ACT schools continue to keep more students to year 12 than the rest of Australia's schools, according to a report released today from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

In 2006, ACT schools had the highest retention rate for years 7-12, at 89%, compared to the national average of 75%. The ACT has had the highest rate every year for the last ten years.

Government schools have the majority of students (59% or 35,076 students), however this is 12% fewer than in 1996. Non-government schools have seen a 14% increase in student numbers since 1996.

There were 139 schools in the ACT as at August 2006; 95 government and 44 non-government.

Government primary and secondary schools in the ACT had fewer students per full time equivalent (FTE) teacher than non-government schools.

Government primary schools had 13.8 students per FTE teacher - two students less than the national average; non-government primary schools had 17.5 students per teacher, the highest student/teacher ratio in Australia.

Government secondary schools had 11.9 students per FTE teacher; non-government had 12.8.

Further information can be found in ACT Stats (cat. no. 1344.8.55.001).

Unless otherwise noted, content on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Australia Licence together with any terms, conditions and exclusions as set out in the website Copyright notice. For permission to do anything beyond the scope of this licence and copyright terms contact us.